Upper Darby police round up 29 in warrant sweep

UPPER DARBY -- Two women and two teenagers facing assault charges for allegedly beating up a 12-year-old because they didn't like her mother, were arrested in the middle of the night along with 25 others in a warrant sweep.

A total of 46 law officers, including members of the Upper Darby Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff's office, Delaware County Juvenile Probation and Pennsylvania State Constables rallied at 2 a.m. Wednesday for the busts throughout the township.

"We hit 80 houses looking for people wanted on outstanding warrants for a variety of offenses, for failure to appear in court," police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. "We arrested 20 adults and nine juveniles. They were all sent to prison or the juvenile detention center."

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According to Chitwood, the concept of the early morning wake up call is to arrest as many people as possible at one time.

"Everybody was in bed asleep," Chitwood said. "We chose a day during the week and 2 a.m. because it's the best time to get them when they are sleeping. We knock on the door and wake everybody up. There is less antagonism and they are very cooperative. It was a successful sweep. Now, all these people are off the streets not committing crimes."

The alleged attack on the preteen by two adults and two teens occurred April 14 at Clover Avenue and Crosby Road.

Sandra Bailey, 38, of the 7100 block of Clover Lane, and Whitney Brown, 22, of the 7100 block of Seaford Road, a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, all of Upper Darby, are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Bailey and Brown were arraigned and the teenagers were turned over to juvenile authorities.

"The victim was walking home from the 2nd Ward playground when several females and a male came out of their house on Clover Lane yelling and cursing at her about her mother and started pushing her," Chitwood said. "They beat her unconscious because they don't like her mother. While she was down on the ground they were mocking her."

According to the affidavit, Brown allegedly punched the victim in the face causing her to fall down. While on the ground, Brown and the others allegedly punched and kicked the victim.

"The victim was able to stand up and get to her feet and was immediately pushed back down by Bailey and the group began assaulting her again," Detective Arthur Erle wrote in the affidavit.

Magisterial District Judge Ann Berardocco arraigned Bailey and Brown and set bail at 10 percent of $20,000.

The two juveniles were remanded to the county's juvenile detention center.